An Abuja division of the Federal High Court has ordered the final forfeiture of N775 million and three properties linked to former accountants general of the federation, Jonah Otunla, and Colonel Bello Fadile.
Justice Donatus Okorowo gave the order for the final forfeiture on Monday following an application brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While giving the order, the judge stated that the court was satisfied with the evidence brought before it by the EFCC. Consequently, he ordered the final disposal of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Backstory: The EFCC argued that the assets were proceeds of illicit activities. They claimed to have recovered the assets while investigating the contract fraud of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Sambo Dasuki.
Colonel Bello Fadile is the assistant of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
According to the EFCC, N775 million was refunded to the ex-AGF and the late Otunba Ade Adelaku during the investigation, while the landed properties were allegedly proceeds of illegal activities received, retained, kept, and converted to respondents from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the president.
On July 20, 2020, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of the assets and ordered that it be published in a national daily for anyone with an interest in the assets to come forward and show reasons why they should not will be forfeited by FG.
On August 11, 2022, the EFCC, in compliance with the court order published the order in one of the national dailies.
Lost properties: Three properties located at No. 8 Ajayi Crowther Street, Asokoro, Abuja; a piece of land in Plot 1960 Cadastral Zone A05 Maitama District, FCT, Abuja; a hotel, under construction with generating set, located at Plot 621, Road 37, Gwarimpa, FCT, Abuja and a twin 4 bedroom duplex with guard quarters located at Plot 736, 7th Avenue Gwarimpa, FCT, Abuja is the loser.
For the record: Otunla was appointed accountant-general of the federation on 28 June 2011 and served until 12 June 2015.
He was replaced by Ahmed Idris, the suspended AGF.
He also served as a board member of the Central Bank of Nigeria.